Frequently asked questions
Planning a retreat in Crete?
Here are the practical details retreat leaders usually want to know before deciding whether Kissamos Bay is the right fit.
You do not need every detail of your retreat figured out before reaching out. If the property feels like it could work for your group, start with an inquiry and we can take it from there.
Retreat format + availability
The basics.
Can I book an individual room at Kissamos Bay?
No.
Kissamos Bay is available for hosted group retreats, not individual room stays.
During your retreat, the property is reserved exclusively for your group.
When are retreat dates available?
Retreats are available February through April.
This quieter season is intentional. Western Crete has fewer crowds, quieter beaches, cooler weather for exploring, and a slower pace that can work especially well for retreats.
Do you offer summer retreats?
The Secret Season retreat program is focused on November through April.
Summer retreat dates at Kissamos Bay are already booked through 2028.
How long is a retreat?
The standard retreat package is 6 nights / 7 days.
That is the standard minimum stay. Consecutive weeks and longer programs may also be available for certifications, intensives, masterminds, trainings, and other extended retreats.
How many people can the property accommodate?
The maximum property occupancy is 20 people total, including retreat leaders.
Standard host pricing begins with 9 people total, including the retreat leader, with additional participants added separately.
Does the retreat leader count toward the 20-person maximum?
Yes.
The 20-person maximum includes the retreat leader or leaders.
For example, a retreat with one host can accommodate up to 19 additional participants.
Will another group be staying at the property during our retreat?
No.
For the duration of your retreat, the property is reserved exclusively for your group.
There are no unrelated hotel guests and no second retreat sharing the common spaces.
What time are check-in and check-out?
Standard check-in is generally 3:00 PM, with check-out by 11:00 AM.
Depending on the retreat schedule and property availability, different arrival or departure arrangements may sometimes be coordinated with the facility in advance.
Rooms + the property
Where everyone stays and gathers.
How many guest rooms are there?
Kissamos Bay has 10 guest rooms.
Eight rooms have private sea-view balconies. Two overlook the pool.
Can rooms be set up for shared or private accommodation?
Yes.
Every guest room can be configured with either one larger double bed or two separate single beds.
That gives you flexibility in how you sell and structure your retreat. You can offer shared rooms, private-room upgrades, or premium sea-view accommodation.
Before arrival, you provide your final room assignments and preferred bed configurations, and we prepare the rooms accordingly.
Do the rooms have private bathrooms?
Yes.
Every guest room has its own private bathroom.
Rooms also include Starlink Wi-Fi, television, mini fridge, and flexible double or twin bed configuration.
What spaces are available for retreat programming?
You have three primary gathering environments.
The indoor facilitation studio is approximately 60 m² / 646 sq ft and can accommodate up to 20 people. Chairs, a projector, yoga mats, and floor pillows are available.
There is also a large sea-view rooftop with padded seating and permanent overhead coverage, plus a covered poolside gathering space with communal tables and seating for up to 20.
This gives you flexibility to move between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the week.
Is the property suitable for winter retreats?
Yes.
Central heating operates throughout the winter season, and the combination of indoor, covered, and open-air gathering spaces gives your program flexibility if the weather changes.
A rooftop session can move indoors. A workshop can move outside when the weather is beautiful.
How close is the beach?
The beach is directly outside the property.
Morning walks, conversations beside the water, or a few quiet minutes by the sea can happen without needing transportation or adding another item to the schedule.
Is the pool heated?
No.
The pool is currently not heated and may not be available during Winter months.
Is the property accessible for guests with limited mobility?
The property is accessed by stairs and does not have an elevator.
Guests need to be able to comfortably navigate stairs during their stay.
If a retreat leader or participant cannot safely use stairs, Kissamos Bay is likely not the right facility for that group.
Food + hospitality
What is handled around your program.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner are included in the standard retreat package.
A fresh rotating breakfast buffet is prepared on property each morning.
Each evening, your group dines at one of our partner restaurants in Kissamos. Guests receive a retreat menu showing the included options without prices displayed.
Coffee and tea are also available throughout the day.
Is lunch included?
No.
Guests are responsible for their own lunch.
There is no guest kitchen available at the property. Hosts can leave lunch open for participants or make separate lunch arrangements as part of their retreat if they choose.
What about dietary restrictions and food allergies?
Dietary requirements and allergy information should be shared as early as possible and no later than 30 days before arrival.
We communicate those needs with both the breakfast team and restaurant partners in advance.
Is housekeeping provided?
Yes.
Guest rooms can be refreshed during the stay, so retreat hosts do not need to manage cleaning, towels, or room needs themselves.
Crete + transportation
Getting here and making the island part of the week.
Can we add activities or excursions to the retreat?
Yes.
Optional experiences can be built around your program and may include Cretan cooking, olive oil experiences, wine tasting, villages, mountains, coastal walks, archaeology, Chania, yoga, breathwork, massage, seasonal celebrations, and other local activities.
Experiences are priced separately unless specifically included in your retreat agreement.
Pricing and availability depend on the season, group size, transportation requirements, and exact experience.
Do we have to schedule activities?
Not at all.
Crete can be a major part of the retreat or simply the setting around it.
You can build experiences into your curriculum, use them for connection and fun, or leave more open space in the schedule.
How far is Kissamos from the airport?
Kissamos Bay is approximately 40 km from Chania International Airport.
Can airport transportation be arranged?
Yes.
Private airport transfers can be coordinated as an optional add-on with advance notice.
With sufficient advance notice, chartered-flight coordination may also be available as a paid add-on.
Pricing depends on routing, group size, travel dates, and availability.
Is the property within walking distance of anything?
Yes.
The property is beachfront and within walking distance of Kissamos town, restaurants, shops, and everyday conveniences.
Your retreat can feel private without feeling isolated.
Pricing + payments
The money side.
What does it cost to host a retreat?
For February through April, the package starts at $8,000 USD and includes 9 people total.
Additional participants are $500 per person.
Maximum property occupancy is 20 people.
What is included in the standard package?
The standard package includes accommodation, breakfast each morning, dinner each evening, use of the retreat gathering spaces, coffee and tea, and the everyday property hospitality around your stay.
Optional activities, airport transfers, chartered flights, facilitation support, marketing services, and other add-ons are priced separately.
Are taxes or mandatory property fees added to the prices shown?
The pricing shown on the website represents the retreat package price.
Any required facility-side taxes or mandatory property fees are handled within the property arrangement unless otherwise disclosed in your final proposal before booking.
What currency are payments made in?
All retreat pricing and payments are handled in USD.
Once your retreat details are confirmed, we send digital invoices through our payment system showing the applicable amounts and due dates.
How much is required to reserve a retreat week?
For November and December retreats, the deposit is $3,600.
For January through April retreats, the deposit is $4,000.
The deposit represents 50% of the minimum package price and is non-refundable.
The remaining package balance is due 30 days before arrival.
What happens if I need to cancel or change my retreat dates?
Retreat payments are generally non-refundable.
If plans change, hosts may be able to move their retreat to another available week or reschedule it into the following year rather than losing the booking entirely.
All date changes are subject to availability and the terms of the retreat agreement.
When do we need to provide final guest information?
No later than 30 days before arrival, we need your:
Final guest count, room assignments, preferred bed configurations, shared versus private room requests, dietary requirements, and food allergy information.
Dietary information can and should be provided earlier whenever possible.
Your role as the host
What stays yours.
Do you create the retreat for me?
No.
You create and lead the retreat.
You determine the program, facilitate your participants, shape the guest experience, and decide what your guests pay.
Our role is to manage the property and agreed hospitality around your retreat.
Can I set my own guest pricing?
Yes.
Your retail pricing belongs to you.
You can structure shared and private accommodation differently, charge for premium sea-view rooms, and incorporate your teaching, activities, gifts, or other elements into the price you charge participants.
Will I receive photos or marketing materials?
Yes.
Once your retreat is booked, you will receive approved marketing assets that can be used on your website, sales materials, and social media.
These may include professional photography, video footage, property imagery, and destination imagery.
Can you help with marketing or facilitation?
Potentially.
Additional paid services such as sales-page creation, marketing strategy, promotional assistance, emcee support, or co-facilitation may be available for select retreats.
These services are not included in the standard retreat package and are quoted separately.
Property policies
A few important boundaries.
Is alcohol allowed at the property?
Alcohol is generally not included in the retreat package.
Hosts may provide alcohol for their group in reasonable quantities, but Kissamos Bay is a retreat facility, not a party property.
We expect hosts and participants to use alcohol responsibly and to treat the property, staff, other participants, and surrounding community with respect.
The retreat host is responsible for the conduct of their group and for damage caused by participants during the retreat.
Are pets allowed?
No.
Pets are not permitted at the property.
Can children attend?
Most retreats at Kissamos Bay are designed for adults, and children are generally not accommodated.
If you are creating a specifically designed family retreat, you are still welcome to submit an inquiry so we can discuss the concept and determine whether the property is appropriate.
What retreat leaders say
What does it actually feel like to host here?
"Hosting our retreat at this location gave us the perfect amount of support and flexibility. Our guests were greeted with a buffet breakfast every morning, and enjoyed one of the many restaurants along the water for dinner. The rooms are clean, many of them open to the sea breezes and a view of the water from the balcony."
"What can I say, it’s perfect! From the perfect location to excellent service, Kissamos Bay Hotel is the place to host your retreat. From private boutique hotel with rooftop shala and basement for yoga, workshops and classes, to the brand new pool and best breakfast service every morning, Kissamos Bay Hotel delivered a white glove service for a fraction of a price."
“5 stars for everything. The place was well kept clean and comfortable. The location is stunning just two strides from a beautiful ocean. I went there this summer and had an unforgettable experience. I highly encourage anyone to book their stay here or retreat. The hotel is just down from a little strip of restaurants along the sea.”
"What an amazing week on a fantastic retreat. I was on a retreat here in May 2026 and i will come back 100 times!"
“It feels truly a home for me and others. I couldn’t recommend this place enough for your next retreat. Will definitely come back!”
Reserve your week in Crete
What are you thinking about creating?
Tell us your preferred dates, approximate group size, and the kind of retreat you want to host.
You do not need to have every detail worked out yet. Start with the retreat. We can figure out whether the property fits from there.
